Anthea added a special apology of her own.
'I'm sorry if I was a pig, Pussy dear,' she said--'especially because in my really and truly inside mind I've been feeling a little as if I'd rather not go into the Past again either.

But then, do think.

If we don't go we shan't get the Amulet, and oh, Pussy, think if we could only get Father and Mother and The Lamb safe back! We MUST go, but we'll wait a day or two if you like and then perhaps you'll feel braver.' 'Raw meat makes you brave, however cowardly you are,' said Robert, to show that there was now no ill-feeling, 'and cranberries--that's what Tartars eat, and they're so brave it's simply awful.

I suppose cranberries are only for Christmas time, but I'll ask old Nurse to let you have your chop very raw if you like.' 'I think I could be brave without that,' said Jane hastily; she hated underdone meat.

'I'll try.' At this moment the door of the learned gentleman's room opened, and he looked out.
'Excuse me,' he said, in that gentle, polite weary voice of his, 'but was I mistaken in thinking that I caught a familiar word just now?
Were you not singing some old ballad of Babylon ?' 'No,' said Robert, 'at least Jane was singing "How many miles," but I shouldn't have thought you could have heard the words for--' He would have said, 'for the sniffing,' but Anthea pinched him just in time.
'I did not hear ALL the words,' said the learned gentleman.